Care at Home

Home Care, also known as domiciliary care, is a type of support provided by Care Assistants or Support Workers in a person’s own home. This type of care is flexible and is tailored specifically to each individual’s specific needs. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. If someone needs more than Home Care, we provide other Home Care services including round the clock assistance with our Live-in Care and Overnight Care services. If this isn’t possible, we also provide Supported Living services for adults with disabilities and mental illness.

People can choose to receive Home Care at any point in their lives. Our services are often used by elderly people but are available to everyone, regardless of age or circumstance. Home Carers help with all kinds of tasks around the home. This includes Personal Care, medication management, shopping assistance as well as more specialist care for conditions. Our Home Care Services for conditions include Dementia Care, Palliative Care, Parkinson’s help at home and Multiple Sclerosis Home Care. Our Disability Support Teams also support conditions such as epilepsy, autism and more.

Choosing Home Care can be a big decision, and it's important to weigh the options carefully.  Here are some reasons why many people choose it:

• Stay Independent:  Remain in your familiar surroundings and keep your independence for as long as possible.
• Enjoy Familiarity:  Stay comfortable in your own home, surrounded by your memories.
• Personalised Support:  Get a care plan tailored to your specific needs, with regular reviews to ensure the highest quality care.
• Holistic Approach:  Receive a range of services that address your physical and emotional well-being.
• Cost-Effective:  Domiciliary Care can be more affordable than residential care, especially if you only need a limited amount of support.
• Flexibility:  Choose the hours and types of care that suit your needs and schedule.
• Stay Connected:  Maintain your social connections with friends, family, and your local community.
• Continuity of Care:  Build a relationship with your Carers, ensuring consistent and familiar support.
• Remain in Control:  Make your own choices about your care and maintain a sense of control over your life. 

Home Care  is a flexible service that can benefit a wide range of people with various needs. It can include short-term support after surgery or a hospital stay, ongoing assistance for long-term conditions, or even respite care when your usual caregiver needs a break. Here are some examples of people who might benefit from Home Care:

• Older adults
• People recovering from surgery or illness
• People with terminal illnesses
• People with mental health challenges
• People who need help managing medications
• People with ongoing health conditions
• People with disabilities
• Unpaid caregivers who need a break
• People with mobility issues

The cost of Home Care can vary widely depending on factors such as the level of care needed, the number of hours of care required, the geographic location, and the specific services provided. Generally, home care costs are broken down into hourly rates, and the total expense can accumulate over time. Home Care can often be more affordable than moving to a care facility, but it’s essential to research and understand the costs of services covered by the fees to make the right choices for yourself or your loved ones. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but contacting a Home Care provider can help you explore your options and find the most cost-effective solution for your situation. 

There are several ways to finance Home Care, depending on your individual circumstances, needs, and assets. Some common options include:

• Local Authority Support:  You may qualify for financial assistance from your local council if you meet specific criteria. They will conduct a financial assessment to determine your eligibility and contribution.
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP):  This benefit helps people with disabilities with the extra costs of daily living.
• Attendance Allowance:  Provides financial support for people who need help with personal care due to illness or disability.
• NHS Continuing Healthcare:  If you have complex needs, the NHS may be responsible for funding your care.
• Self-Funding:  If you don't qualify for financial assistance, you can pay for your care privately.
• Lifetime Mortgages or Home Reversion Plans:  These are financial products that allow you to access money from the value of your property to pay for care.

1.  What are the specific care needs? Think about the type and quantity of care needed; Home Care may not always be the best option for very complex needs and residential care may be expensive if only basic care needs are required.
    
2. What does the person needing care want to do? Think about what’s important to you or your loved one; do they value independence and love their own home? Or would they benefit from having similar aged people around them and scheduled activities?
    
3. Is there a strong support network? If you or your loved one do not have a support network at home, a residential facility offers a ready made network of professionals who can help. Home Care can help with this, though only during agreed visits. This can be managed by choosing Live-in Care or living in a Supported Living service instead. Our services can support you with this.
    
4. How much does it cost? Consider the costs of each care option; costs can vary depending on your specific needs. To get started, complete our care costs calculator or contact your local ABL Care Homecare Team.